WE met 24-year-old Cora Brennan in March when she passed a course with her colleagues at the Risedale at Lonsdale care home in Albert Street, Barrow, enabling her to teach music and dance classes to elderly residents.

Cora lit up the care home with her enthusiasm and smiles and was a firm favourite with all of the residents.

As well as leading dance parties set to classic artists such as Elvis Presley and Chuck Berry, Cora often dressed up as singers such as Vera Lynn and Audrey Hepburn to sing some nostalgic tunes for the residents.

Since her last interview with the Evening Mail, Cora has developed her singing career alongside her full-time job and played as many local gigs as possible. She said: "I sang at the Barrow Christmas lights switch-on at the town hall which was magical and an honour for me to be a part of because it was such a prestigious event.

"I also had an interview with local radio station Cando FM, who were kind enough to play one of my songs which I recently had recorded."

That song was Cora's recording of Elvis classic I Can't Help Falling In Love With You, which you can listen to here:

She said: "It's been a very busy month for me with lots of shows, I've been performing at schools and other venues, so it was nice to kick back in my pyjamas over Christmas and have some family time.

"I will be entering the new year singing at the Victoria Tavern in Barrow, where we will be celebrating with a big party. I'm really looking forward to it."

If you're a fan of Cora's singing then you will get plenty of chances to watch her perform as she plans to keep doing as many gigs as she can. She said: "My aspirations for 2017 are to aim high and try to obtain contracts working across a variety of performing genres.

"I enjoy singing but I am looking to widen my skills within the performing arts world. I am forever seeking to enhance my all-round abilities as a performer, hopefully 2017 will be the year I fulfil my ambitions."

When it comes to New Year's resolutions Cora doesn't believe in making a list, she said: "They only usually last a week with me, so I just make ones that I can keep and stick to which is to keep as healthy and as happy as can be."